On Tuesday evening the Westfield Planning Board
convened for its regularly scheduled meeting. The first
order of business was not an agenda item, but a review of
Westfield streets under consideration for partial or
total vacation. Charles H. Brandt, town attorney,
presented the following streets for proposed vacation:
Clarence Street, Whittier Avenue, Roosevelt Street,
Codding Road and Midvale Way. Later he briefly explained
the particulars regarding each applicants request for
vacation. Applicants making vacation requests are,
primarily, hoping to do construction on their adjacent
properties. Adding a portion to their lots would bring
the property size into conformance with the town Land
Ordinance.

"The ultimate decision as whether or not these
streets will be vacated will be made by the Town Council
at its March 25th meeting," explained acting
Chairman Robert L.. Newell. "Mr. Brandt is asking
the Planning Board, in light of its planning expertise,
to advise the town council of its recommendation as to
whether or not the proposed vacations are consistent with
the town's master plan."

Many of the audience members were citizens
concerned by the proposed Clarence Street subdivision.
The application to subdivide a single lot and combine it
with the vacated portion of Clarence Street creating four
new lots, was the last scheduled item on the agenda.

One audience member asked if the portion of
Clarence Street proposed for vacation was protected by
its possible status as a wetland. Town engineer and Board
Secretary Kenneth B. Marsh, had earlier excused himself
from deliberations, however he did address the wetland
issue. "There is no official designation of Clarence
Street as a wetland," stated Mr. Marsh. "There
are however, indications that wetlands might be
present."

Board member Gary T. Hall suggested that the board
delay recommendation on the Clarence Street vacation
until further investigation was done on its status as a
wetland. Further the expense of such an investigation was
deemed to be the responsibility of the applicant. The
actual application for the Clarence Street subdivision
was scheduled to be carried over to the April 7th
meeting.

The board also chose to delay a recommendation on
Whittier Avenue until hearing the application for
subdivision. Similarly, this application will be carried
over to the April 7th meeting. The board did recommend
the vacation of all or portions of Codding Road, Midvale
Way and Roosevelt Street.

The first application to come before the board was
put forth by Drs. Ian and Paul Langer DDS. of ]40 St.
Paul Street. The applicants were seeking site plan
approval changing the use of the premises from
residential to offices. The applicants also sought
variances for pre-existing, non-conforming conditions
involving side-yard setback, lot size, frontage and
improvements coverage.

The smaller lot size poses problems specific to the
requirements put forth by the American Disabilities Act.
Presenting the plans for the alterations to the Langer
offices was Ms. Barbara Vincentson, architect for the
applicants. Ms. Vincentson's plans included a covered
lift which would transport handicapped individuals from
the driveway to the primary entrance located at the front
of the building.

The street, while zoned for professional user still
maintains a distinctly residential character. (currently
there are five residential homes on St. Paul Street and
six professional buildings with residences. Ms.
Vincentson stated throughout her testimony that all plans
and alterations were consistent with the neighborhood,
keeping its residential integrity intact.

Richard Elbert of St. Paul Street, had concerns
with the proposed plans. The applicants plan to have the
front porch enclosed by glass and replace the single door
at the front entrance with double doors. "An open
porch is consistent with the other buildings in the
neighborhood. No other property has double doors at the
primary entrance," observed Mr. Elbert.
"further, one of the 30 foot sycamore trees in the
front of the property is to be cut down. I think we
should save that tree. Lastly, the proposed outside
lighting will cause glare into residents homes after
dark. I would hope this would somehow be addressed."

Ms. Vincentson stated that in redoing the driveway
the root system of the tree would be so severely damaged
that it would inevitably die. However. she noted, her
client would be willing to plant a similar, albeit less
mature, tree.

The board granted site approval and all variances
to the applicant with the following conditions: a similar
tree, 8 to 10 leer in stature, replace the felled
sycamore; the front door be changed from double to
single; a curb cut be placed in the front drive to aid
the handicapped; appropriate shrubbery be planted to
shield the handicap lift from view; and a timer be placed
on the exterior lighting system with lights to be shut
oft after 9 p.m.

The board granted site approval and variances to
the Journeyman Title Agency Inc., of 918 South Avenue.
The applicant also sought a waiver for the curbing,
striping and paving of the driveway required by the town
Land Use Ordinance. The applicant stated that at the
current time paving the driveway would cause undo
hardship. Approvals of site plan, variances and waivers
were granted with the condition the driveway be paved
curbed and striped within a time period not to exceed two
years.

Also carried over to the April 7th meeting were the
following applications: Kelley and Lawson, minor
subdivision Edgar Road; and the estate of Roasalie
Pleninger, minor subdivision 315 Jefferson Avenue.